Enter any address in Custer County, Colorado to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from summer thunderstorms dominates Custer County's flood risk. Between 2003 and 2023, NOAA Storm Events data recorded 23 flash flood events and 7 general flood events. Recent examples include flash flooding observed along the Highway 50 corridor on July 25, 2021, due to heavy rainfall, and multiple reports of flash flooding along the eastern mountains on July 21, 2021. In 2019, storms near Westcliffe produced approximately 3.5 inches of rain within 90 minutes, leading to rock slides and debris flows.
NFIP claims data shows one claim in Zone A with an average payout of $769 and an average water depth of 0.0 feet. Homeowners in areas prone to rapid rainfall accumulation, particularly those near mountain drainages and along the Highway 50 corridor, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
7 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Custer County, Colorado has recorded 30 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 23 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 12 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1999–2020)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Junkins Fire | Fire | Oct 17, 2016 |
| Wetmore Fire | Fire | Oct 23, 2012 |
| Duckett Fire | Fire | Jun 15, 2011 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Dec 18, 2006 |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation | Coastal Storm | Aug 29, 2005 |
| Mason Fire | Fire | Jul 8, 2005 |
| Snow | Snowstorm | Mar 17, 2003 |
| Cuerno Verde Fire | Fire | Apr 30, 2002 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 21, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 22, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 26, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 15, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 29, 2017 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 7, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Jul 25, 2021
Another active period across southern Colorado on this day, with showers and thunderstorms observed over much of the area. The eastern mountain and I-25 corridor interface was a location with more widespread development, especially along the Highway 50 corridor. In this area, heavy rainfall with flooding, large hail, and damaging winds were observed.
Flash Flood — Jul 21, 2021
An abundance of moisture and instability, focus for thunderstorm development over and near the mountains, and slow moving storms all supported heavy rainfall with flash flooding. Multiple reports were noted along the eastern mountains.
Flash Flood — Jul 22, 2019
Monsoonal airmass was in place during the afternoon and evening of July 22, 2019 allowing for heavy showers and storms to develop over the high country and slowly move towards the east-southeast. A few of the storms near Westcliffe merged and became nearly stationary producing close to 3.5 inches of rain within 90 minutes. ||Storms that developed east of Westcliffe moved southeast towards the J...
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2019
During the afternoon and evening hours of August 8, 2019, ample monsoonal flow pushed into the high terrain of the Rampart Range and the Wet Mountains. Rather slow moving heavy rain storms developed and eventually pushed off towards the east across the Front Range and eventually onto the eastern Colorado plains. ||Heavy rain, large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding, and even a tornado were a...
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2018
A severe thunderstorm developed over the Junkins Burn scar during the afternoon of the July 27th. A severe thunderstorm warning was in place for the thunderstorm, as well as a flash flood warning for the drainage of the burn scar.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Custer County, Colorado:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Custer County, Colorado that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.